Preston to Kilmarnock by train

Compare prices, times and book fast direct trains

Overview: trains from Preston to Kilmarnock

Find the key information for travelling by train from Preston to Kilmarnock, including journey times, fares and operators serving the route. Compare your options and plan the journey that works for you with Rail Europe.

First train 05:40 View journey
Last train 22:03 View journey
Avg changes 1
Fastest journey 2hr 59m View journey
Distance (km) 236
Trains / day 50 View all
Cheapest journey £68.24 View journey
Avg journey time 3hr 38m
Train operators 7

Explore Preston to Kilmarnock by train

Thinking about travelling from Preston to Kilmarnock by train? Here’s everything you need to know to maximise your experience along this train journey.

Train cost for travel between Preston and Kilmarnock

The first thing many travellers ask before booking a trip is: 'How much will it cost?' While train travel combines comfort and cost, the price of a ticket depends on a few things.

For starters, how early you book your trip comes into play with the price tag. For this specific route, the cheapest fare is £68.24, but can go to when purchased thirty days before your train departs, and when locked in seven days before. Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your trip. Instead, you can book these tickets 5 and a half months in advance.

Cheap train tickets with slower trains

Another factor that comes into play when it comes to ticket price is speed. Let us explain. Many travellers automatically opt for the high-speed train option because faster is always better, right? Not necessarily. As experienced train travellers ourselves, the Rail Europe team often chooses to go for the slower trains for a number of reasons, including the fact that these trains often:

  • Allow for more time to take in the city scapes and countrysides

  • Set a more leisurely pace to better soak up the travel experience

  • Stop in areas that are less-travelled, offering a more unique journey

  • Are less-crowded than their high-speed counterparts

  • Are an even greener travel option than high speed

  • Are the cheapest train tickets you can find

Whether you choose to go with a low-, medium- or high-speed train, Rail Europe compiles all train options so you can choose by cost, speed, timing and operator to find the best fit for your travels.

Train schedule for travel between Preston and Kilmarnock

While frequency of trains along this line depends on the day of the week, on average, 50 trains make this journey of 236 kilometres each day. The first weekday departure from Preston is at 05:40 on weekdays. The last scheduled train during the week departs at 22:03.

During the weekend, 05:40 is the earliest scheduled departure, and 21:42 is the last. Throughout the day, trains typically depart every 10 minutes.

How long is the train journey from Preston to Kilmarnock?

This journey covers a total of 236 kilometres, with the quickest trip taking 2 hours and 59 minutes.

When do tickets between Preston and Kilmarnock go on sale?

Travellers can book train journeys between Preston and Kilmarnock 5 and a half months before the travel date. The earlier you book, the better the price. Stay informed about ticket availability by setting up a personalised booking alert with Rail Europe.

Learn more about train travel from Preston to Kilmarnock

Refer to our help articles for more details and insights on train travel from Preston and beyond. Get ready for your visit with travel tips and inspiration in our Kilmarnock city guide.

FAQs about the train journey from Preston to Kilmarnock

Want to know more about your journey from Preston to Kilmarnock? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

The train journey between Preston and Kilmarnock spans 236 kilometres.

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Child and youth passengers

The definition of "Child" and "Youth" varies by country and operator. This is why we ask for the age of young passengers.

Sometimes children below a certain age can travel without a seat for free. If you want to guarantee a seat for child passengers, enter '6' as the age of the child.

Read more about child and youth passenger ages. See also youth discounts and railcards.